Palmerston

NZDep 7
Pop 1,056Median age 47Waitaki District

Palmerston is a small community in Otago with a population of 1,056 and a median age of 47. Median personal income is $33K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Pacific Peoples.

Median weekly rent in Palmerston is $518 (518 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 83% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Palmerston: NZDep decile 7 (moderate deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 474.

In 2026, Palmerston recorded 0 building approvals (0 houses, 0 units), down 100% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability83% Stretched
School QualityEQI 474 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 7 Moderate
Development-100% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$518
House Rent /wk$518
Rent-to-Income82.6%
Lodgements12
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,056
Median Age47
Household Size
Personal Income$33K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European80.6%
Māori14.0%
Pacific Peoples2.3%
Asian2.0%
MELAA1.0%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Mining90
Construction57
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing42
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI474
Total Students292
State2
East Otago High SchoolSecondary (Year 7-15) · State · EQI 488 · 199 students
Palmerston SchoolContributing · State · EQI 461 · 93 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile7/10
NZDep Score1009
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)0
YoY Change-100%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023